To respond to a disaster and to mitigate impact and damages, complex and time-critical situations need to be analyzed quickly. To facilitate understanding, education and constant training of relief forces are crucial. Operations research tools can help to improve decison-making skills by supporting system thinking.

Drones, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) and automated guided vehicles (AGVs) are popular buzzwords gaining increased attention in the media and research. As I know from own experience, incorporating UAVs in your work leads to highly interesting and complex research questions.

Delays in fresh fruit logistics do not only cost time, but also can potentially harm the value of products and profits. Nevertheless, transport disruptions are common. Let’s assume a bridge is closed. To save a shipment from spoilage, one can either travel on alternative routes (i), switch mode of transport (ii), wait for the disruption to be over (iii) or, in case of a long-term disruption, fulfill demand from a backup supplier (iv), but which option is the best in each particular situation?